Propeller-enclosed airlifting air tube apparatus

Abstract

Various embodiments of a propeller-enclosed airlifting air tube apparatus are disclosed. The propeller-enclosed airlifting air tube apparatus contains a unique multi air-tube structure that functions as a plurality of air outtakes to produce stable lift force with one or more propellers enclosed in the apparatus. By encapsulating the propellers within the outer shells, the airlifting air tube apparatus is able to reduce potential bodily harm and property damage risks during a flight operation in a densely-populated environment or in another environment involving tight spaces. Preferably, the airlifting air tube apparatus encapsulates one or more pairs of contra-rotating propellers inside a drone casing to enhance operational safety while minimizing the overall footprint of the apparatus. Furthermore, the airlifting air tube apparatus incorporates a novel flight control steering unit configured to change directions and altitudes of the apparatus by dynamically adjusting airflow to each outtake air tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An airlifting air tube apparatus comprising:
 one or more propellers connected to one or more propeller motors, all of which are encapsulated by an exterior shell of the airlifting air tube apparatus, wherein the one or more propeller motors are configured to rotate the one or more propellers; 
 a flight control circuitry configured to control rotational speeds and rotating orientations of the one or more propellers; 
 an air intake path physically defined by an air intake opening on the exterior shell and an internal air passage leading to the one or more propellers encapsulated inside the airlifting air tube apparatus; 
 three or more outtake air tubes located on a bottom surface of the airlifting air tube apparatus, wherein the three or more outtake air tubes expel air drawn in and agitated by the one or more propellers and provide a sufficient lift force to enable the airlifting air tube apparatus to operate as a controlled flying device, and wherein adjusting a magnitude of expelled air in each of the three or more outtake air tubes triggers a change in direction or altitude during flight; and 
 an airflow control steering unit and one or more airflow adjusters, wherein the airflow control steering unit is configured to reduce or increase the magnitude of expelled air in each of the three or more outtake air tubes by opening or closing the one or more airflow adjusters. 
 
     
     
       2. The airlifting air tube apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the airflow control steering unit further comprises an airflow control ball suspended in air by a swingable rod, wherein the suspension of the airflow control ball provides a gravity pendulum-based self-stabilizing tendency to the airlifting air tube apparatus against external disturbances or turbulence. 
     
     
       3. The airlifting air tube apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the airflow control steering unit further comprises the swingable rod attached to the airflow control ball, one or more ball-positioning motors, and at least one of ball control rods and springs connected to the airflow control ball and the one or more ball-positioning motors, wherein a current position of the airflow control ball is adjusted by winding or unwinding of the ball control rods and the springs via a motor shaft rotation of the one or more ball-positioning motors. 
     
     
       4. The airlifting air tube apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the airflow control steering unit incorporates an electromechanical element or a motorized lid to open or close the one or more airflow adjusters. 
     
     
       5. The airlifting air tube apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery pack connected to the flight control circuitry and the one or more propeller motors to provide electrical power to electronic components contained in the airlifting air tube apparatus. 
     
     
       6. The airlifting air tube apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a power management unit connected to or incorporated into the flight control circuitry. 
     
     
       7. The airlifting air tube apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior shell is made of plastic, metallic alloys, carbon fibers, or another lightweight material. 
     
     
       8. The airlifting air tube apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior shell has a spherical shape and is divided into an upper exterior shell containing the air intake opening and a lower exterior shell at least partially containing the flight control circuitry, the one or more propellers, the one or more propeller motors, and the three or more outtake air tubes. 
     
     
       9. The airlifting air tube apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flight control circuitry is further connected to a wireless data transceiver to receive remote-controlled commands from a remote operator. 
     
     
       10. The airlifting air tube apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more propellers are a pair or multiple pairs of contra-rotating propellers. 
     
     
       11. The airlifting air tube apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the flight control circuitry is installed in a rigid cubby space formed between an outer layer of the lower exterior shell and an inner layer surrounding the air intake path, wherein the rigid cubby space is at least partially isolated from agitated airflow generated by the one or more propellers.